Sentences of Sextus

[...] is [indicative] of ignorance.
[Love] the truth, and [handle] the lie like poison.

[Let] the opportune moment arrive before your words.
[Talk] when it is not right [to keep silent], but [when] it is right, then [talk about] things you know.

An untimely [word indicates] an evil heart. [When it is] appropriate to act, do not [utter a] word.
Be not prone [to speak] first when in the presence of [a crowd]. [Although it is] a talent [to speak], it is also a talent [to stay quiet].
It is [better] for you to be vanquished [speaking the truth] than to vanquish [with deception]. [He] who vanquishes with [deception is vanquished] with the truth. [Lying words are indicative of] evil people. [It is] a serious [crisis that makes] a lie [necessary]. [Sometimes] you [sin] when speaking [the truth], and [sometimes you do not sin] when [you speak a lie]. Do not deceive [anyone, particularly] him who requires [counsel]. [If you talk] after [many, you will more clearly see] what is valuable.
[Faithful] is he who is first with every [good work].
Wisdom directs [the soul] to the dwelling place of [God].
[There is no] relative of [truth apart from] wisdom.
It is impossible for a [faithful] nature [to be charmed by] lying.
It is impossible for a fearful [and enslaved] nature to participate in faithfulness.
When you are [faithful], what is appropriate to speak [is not of greater value] than to listen. When you [are] with those who are faithful, desire [listening more than] speaking.
A [pleasure seeker] is useful [for nothing].
When you have not dealt with [sin, do not talk] about anything relating to [God].
The sins of [ignorant people are] the shame of [those who were their teachers].
Those who cause [God’s name] to be blasphemed [are dead] according to God.
[A wise man] performs good works after God.
[Let (the conduct of) your life] agree with [your words (spoken) before those who] hear (you).
What [is wrong for you to do], do not even entertain the thought of [doing it].
[What you do not] want to [be done to you, do not do it] yourself.
[What is] shameful [to do, is also shameful ...].






























































































































He is [a wise man who acclaims God] in front of men, but [God] considers a wise man above his own [works].

[After] God, no one is as free as the wise man.
[Everything] God possesses, the wise man also possesses.
The wise man shares in the [kingdom] of God; an evil man does not wish for the providence of God to be realized.

An evil soul runs away from God.
Everything bad is the enemy of God.
What thinks inside you, say in your heart: “That is what (makes me) human.”
Where your thought is, there is your goodness.
Do not expect (to find) goodness in flesh.
What is [not] harmful for the soul is not so also for humans.
After (honoring) God, honor the [wise] man, [because he] is a servant [of God].
[Regarding] the body of your [soul] as a weight is [arrogance], but being able to [control] it [gently] when [it is necessary is] blessed.
[Do not] bring on your own death. Do not grow [angry at] him who will remove you [from] the body, even killing you.
If someone removes [a wise man] from the body in a criminal manner, that one in fact [performs] a good deed for him, [because] he has been freed from bonds.
The fear of [death] grieves humans on account of the ignorance of the soul.
‹It would be better› for you if the man-slaying sword had never existed, but when it arrives, tell your heart that it does not exist.
Someone who says, “I am faithful,” and passes a long time pretending (to be so), he will not succeed, but he will fall; as your heart is, so will your (conduct of) life be.
A godly heart makes for a blessed life.
He who plots evil against someone else [he will also be] the first to experience [evil].
[Let not] someone ‹unthankful› cause you to stop performing [good (works)].
[Do not say in] your heart that what someone requested, and that [you] gave without hesitating, is of more value than [the one who] received it.
You will oversee [much] wealth if you give to [the needy] willingly.
Convince a senseless brother [not to] be senseless; should he be insane, care for him.
Struggle fervently to outdo everyman in prudence; preserve self-sufficiency.
You cannot obtain understanding if you do not first realize you do not possess ‹it›.

Regarding every scenario, this word reoccurs: Bodily limbs become a weight for those who do not exercise them.
It is better to serve others than to compel others to serve you.
If God will not remove someone from the body, he should not burden himself.
Not only should you not have any opinion that does not assist the needy, [you should not] even listen to it.
He who gives [with] favoritism behaves with pride [and transgresses].
If you [assume guardianship of] orphans, you will become a father of many children; you will be the beloved of God.
He [whom you serve] for [the sake of honor, you] serve for payment.
[If] you [give something] to honor yourself, [you have] not given to humanity, but to your own self-satisfaction.
[Stoke] not the anger of a mob. [Understand then] what is appropriate for a wealthy man to [do].

Better to die [than] to blacken the soul through gluttony.
Say in [your] heart that the body [is] the clothing of your soul; maintain its purity, because it is guiltless.
Whatever the soul commits while in the body, it will possess as witnesses when it enters into the judgment.
Unclean demons put a claim on an unclean soul; evil demons will be unable to prevent a faithful, good soul on the path of God.

Do not give the message of God to everyone.
For [those] corrupted by [glory], [hearing] about God is not comforting.
It is no small [peril] when we [speak the] truth about God; [say] [nothing about] God before [you have] learned from [God].

[Do not] talk [about] God with the godless; if you are impure [because of] unclean works, [do not] talk about God.
Regarding the word about God, speak it as though you were uttering it in the presence of God.

The true [word] about God is the word of God.
If your heart is first persuaded that you are a lover of God, then speak about God to whomever you wish.
Let your works of piety precede everything you say about God.
Do not desire to talk to a crowd about God.
Be more reticent to say something about God than to say something about the soul.
Better to discard a soul than arbitrarily to discard a word about God.
You conceive the body of a man who loves God, but cannot control his speech. The lion controls the body of [the wise man]; even so the tyrant controls only [the body].
If a tyrant threatens you, [especially then] remember God.
He [who speaks] the word of God [to those] for whom it is unlawful, he [betrays] God.
Better [for] you to keep quiet about the word of [God] than to speak unthinkingly.
He tells lies about God is lying to God; a man with nothing true to say about [God] has been forsaken by God.

It is impossible for you to know God if you do not worship him.
A man who commits harm against someone will be unable to worship God.
The love of humanity is the beginning of godliness.
He who cares for men, praying for all of them, this is the truth of God.
It is the prerogative of God to save whom he will; it is, however, the prerogative of the pious man to beg God to save everyone.

When you pray for something and it is realized for you by God, then say in your heart that [with God you can] [achieve things].
[A man] deserving of God is God among [men], and he is the son of God; there is both the Great One, and he who is next to the Great One.
Better for a man to possess nothing than to own much while giving nothing to the needy; and (if) also you (act so), when you petition God, he will not give (anything) to you.

When you give your bread to the hungry from your whole heart, the gift may be small, but the disposition (to give) is great with God.
He who thinks that no one is in the presence of God, he is arrogant toward God.
He who strives to make his heart like that of God, to the degree possible, he it is who greatly honors God.
God needs nothing, but he rejoices on account of those who give to the needy.
The faithful speak few words, but many are their works.
A faithful person desirous of learning does the truth.
[Adjust to the] misfortunes of life, so that [you will] not [be troubled].
[If you] do not harm anyone, you will be afraid of no one.
A tyrant cannot deprive you of happiness.
Willingly do what is right.
In no way do anything that is not right to do. Promise (to give) everything, but do not say: “I am wise.”
If you do something well, say in your heart that God is the one who does it.
No man who ‹gazes› down on the earth or on tables is wise.
A philosopher who is (just) an exterior body, he does not deserve respect; but a philosopher in accord with the inner man (deserves respect).
Refrain from lying; there is he who deceives and he who is deceived.
Know who God is, and know who the one is who thinks inside you; a good man is the good work of God.

They are miserable who cause the [word] to be blasphemed.
Death will be unable to destroy [...].